Observation box for timing watches



F b. 19, L946,

R. D; HEFFELFINGER OBSERVATION BOX 'FOR TIMING WATCHES Filed Aug. 12, 1945 s Sheets-Sheet 1- llllll INVENTOR.

ROBERT D.HEFFELFINGIERT= Feb. 19, 1946. R. D. HEFFELFlNGER OBSERVATION BOX FOR TIMII WG WATCHES- Filed Aug. 12, 1943 s Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR.

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ROOERT D. HEFFELFIMGER Feb. 19, 1946. R. D. HEFFELFINGER UBSERVATION FOR TIMING WATCHES Filed Aug '12, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.?

- INVENTOR. ROBERT D. HEFFELFINGER Patented Feb. 19, 1946 OBSERVATION BOX FOR TIMING WATCHES Robert Daniel Hefielfinger, Lancaster, Pa., as-

signor to Hamilton Watch Company, Lancaster,

Application August 12, 1943, Serial No. 498,318

' 9 Claims. (01. 73-6) This invention relates to an apparatus used in conjunction with a time microscope for timing watches.

In the manufacture of fine watches the movement of the balance wheel is put through a series of tests to determine the amount of gain or loss from the standard in every 24 hours. This is done in conjunction with a time microscope which is the subject of Patent #2,322,861 and will only be described briefly in thisapplication. This apparatus flashes a beam of light five times a second, which beam, directed against the balance in a stroboscopic effect, provides a means for synchronizing the balance with a standard period.

The purpose of this invention is to provide an apparatus in which the watch movement to be timed can be mounted and which can be manipulated to any vertical position, that is with the twelfth hour position of the watch at any desired angle to the vertical, or the watch can be turned to a horizontal position for timing. It is necessary that the light which is furnished from the time microscope five times a second be the only light which illuminates the balance. It is, therefore, another purpose of this invention to provide an enclosed receptacle in which the watch is mounted for turning to various positions and which has an extended observation opening so that the watch can be observed only by the light of the time microscope.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a receptacle for supporting a timepiece movement in any one of a number of positions and of conducting a periodic flash of light to a desired point adjacent the watch movement.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means for conducting the light from the time microscope to a point adjacent the balance of the timepiece movement without dispersing any of the light throughout the box.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide means associated with the light conducting means for intensifying and focusing the light on one position of the timepiece movement.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide means by which the watch may be inserted and removed from the observation box without disturbing the relative position of the Y watch holder with the pivot point so arranged that the inserted watch has the point on the balance wheel observed by the operator superimposed over the pivot point of the holder so that as the holder is turned to various positions the position of the observation point relative to the light conducting elements will not be changed.

It is a still further object to provide means for retaining the watch in any number of various desired positions.

It is a still further object to provide means by which the watch may be moved to any of its various positions by mechanisms actuated without the box. 7

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of the observation box in conjunction with the time microscope.

Fig. 2 is a section on line 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the box with the cover lifted and the watch in dial up position.-

Fig. 4 is a front elevation with the slide supporting the watch supporting mechanism out in loading position.

Fig. 5 is a detailed View of the watch supporting mechanism showing a different position of the watch.

Fig. 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a section on line 'l---'! of Fig. 3.

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8-8 of Fig. 5.

In the drawings the time microscope I, which is the subject of the Patent #2322361, and which is not shown in detail, is provided with a source of light which is directed against a revolving mirror turning five times a second which in turn projects the light through a slot in the casing of the time microscope against the ends of Lucite rods 2 and 3 which conduct the light to the desired points within the observation box. These rods 2 and 3 are formed of transparent Lucite 4 (see Fig. 7) having a wrapping 5 of a reflective foil and an outer protective covering 6 of Cellophane or the like. They are bent in convenient form to conduct the light to the desired point within the box. It is possible to bring the lower rod to a position very close to the balance when the watch is swung to dial up position but it is necessary to provide some means of projecting the light from the upper rod 2 onto the balance in the desired concentrated form. The end of the rod 2 is, therefore, provided with a sleeve I having a lens 8, the sleeve being adjustable longitudinally of the rod to focus the light in a concentrated beam on the balance.

The box itself is formed-with a base 9, sides In,

and a hinged cover I l. Projecting from the front of the box is an observation tunnel l2 curved at its outer end l3 to more or less fit the observers face, having an opening I4 cut out for the nose. This allows the observer to practically shut .off any light which might enter the box through the tunnel by pressing closely against the end of the observation tunnel.

The side I opposite to the time microscope is formed with an opening covered by a plate mounted on a slide l6 which is provided with rounded edges Il movable in grooves I8 of the framework I9 mounted in the interior of the box. This slide l6, which is formed of Lucite or a similar material, extends entirely across the width of the box when in closed position and supports a hinged plate in a substantially central posi-' tion.

The plate 20 is mounted on a hinge pin 21 which in turn is carried by the slide I6 and is provided with an operating lever 22 to swing the plate about said hinge pin into a horizontal position :shown in Fig. 3.

Pivotally mounted on the plate 20 by the pivot pin 23 is a watch supporting plate 24. This plate has mounted on its face 'watch supporting arms 25 and '26 which securely hold the watchin fixed relation to said watch supporting plate. The -arm 25 is secured to the plate 24 by screws 21 while the arm 26 is pivotally fastened to "the watch supporting plate 2 4 by a pivot screw 28 and "urged toward the stationary arm '26 by a spring 29. A guide member 311 prevents any canting of the arm 26 about its pivot and so holds the watch securely in a fixed position. Fastened to the rear of the pivot pin 23 is a cam member 3| and a beveled gear 32. Cooperating with "the cam member is a spring pressed roller 33 which serves to hold the watch supporting plate in any desired angular position by the said roller engaging -notches 34 in the cam which notches are shown forconvenience in the drawings spaced at '90 degree intervals but which could be arranged at any desired position.

Secured to the back of the slide 16 are bearing members 35 which support a rod 36 having a hand knob 31 at one end and a beveled gear "38 at the other end. When the plate -20 is in vertical position the beveled gears 32 and '38 mesh and the watch supporting plate 2'4 may be turned about the pivot pin 23 to any desired angular position by means of the hand knob 31. The position of the holding arms 2"6 with respect to the pivot 23 is such that the observation point on the balance wheel is directly over the pivot pin and thus, while the watch is turned to different angular positions by turning the plate 24, the observation point remains in the same position relative to the'light tubes 2 and '3. A light 39 is mounted in the box and designed to flash at 'predetermined interval to signal to the operator the expiration of the timing period.

The tubes 2 and '3 may, at the point at which they are adjacent the time microscope be provided with a shutter arranged to expose both of the tubes to the light or to selectively expose either of the tubes to the light.

In using the device the slide 16 is pushed to outer position by means of the rod M and *knob '42 and a watch '40 issnappedbetween the holding arms 26 which are provided with ashall'ow groove 18 designed to receive the pillar plate, shown in Fig. 8. The slide is then returned to the box by means of the rod 41 or -by pushing directly on the slide plate [5, and the time microscope actuated '7 to send a beam of light through the tubes 2 an 3 and onto the balance wheel of the watch. The operator by looking through the tunnel l2 and adjusting the time microscope, synchronizes the movement of the balance wheel with the flashes sent out from the time microscope. This is in the nature of a stroboscope causing it to appear that the balance arm is stationary. This is readily'acc'om'plishe'd by the adjustment of the wheel 43 of the time microscope and the variation of the balance to that of the synchronized flashes is read from the scale 44 and the timing of the watch for one position is completed. Ordinarily it would now be necessary to remove the watch, turnit to another position and go through the same performance. With applicants observation box it is only necessary to turn the knob 3! rotating the watch through any desired angle which is determined by the notches 34 engaging the roller 33 and immediately subject the watch to another timing period in the new position. This may be done for any desired vertical position, a watch generally being timed vertically with 12, 3, 6 and 9 uppermost,"and with the watch in a horizontal position dial side up. To bring the Watch into this latter osition the handle 22 is used to swing the .plate '20 about its pivot 2| and bring the balance directly over the end of tube 3. A mirror '45 located on the base of the box reflects the movement of the balance so that it may be observed through the tunnel which has a baflle "46 extending partlya'cross its inner end to prevent light from the upper rod 2 from interfering with the observation of the balance movement in the mirror. Thus the watch may be timed in any desired angular position, either vertical or horizontal, without being handled except the single time necessary to insert it in the watch holding plate.

The rods 2 and 3 are adjustably mounted in the bracket '41 secured to the side 10 of the box so that itiisipossible to adjust these tubes. The rods are used with different size watches for possible examination o'f any other parts of the watch.

Thus through the use of applicant's observation box-a watch movement may be timed in various Ipo'sitions without handling, thereby saving time and money in producing a fine timepiece.

What is claimed is:

l. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of light, means associated with said light source to produce intermittent light flashes, a watch housing box, means for conducting said intermittent light flashes into the interior of said box, means slidably mounted in said housing box for supporting a watch in a number of different angular positions so that the balance wheel remains in exactly the same location regardless of the angular position of the watch, control means for positioning the watch in different positions while held by said supporting means, said control means extend ing beyond and operable from without the box and means permitting observation of said watch illuminated only by said intermittent light flashes.

2. An observation box for timing watches comprising a source of intermittent light flashes, a sliding panel in said "box, means mounted on said panel for supporting a watch in a number-of different angular positions so that the balance wheel remains in exactly the same location regardless of the angular position of the Watch, said panel being moved to a position without the box for the insertion and removalof the watch and to a position within the box for observation of the watch, control means for positioning the watch to different positions while held by the support ing means, said control means extending beyond and operable from without the box, means for conducting the intermittent light flashes to a point adjacent the watch and means permitting observation of the watch illuminated only by said intermittent light flashes.

3. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of intermittent light, an observation box,

an observation tunnel connected with said box,

means for mounting a watch in any one of several various positions carried within the box and to maintain the balance wheel of the watch in the same location regardless of the angular position of said watch, control means for positioning the watch in any of said several various positions, said control means extending beyond and operable from without the box, means for conducting said intermittent light flashes to a point adjacent the watch to permit observation through said observation tunnel.

4. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of intermittent light, an observation box, means for adjustably mounting a watch in said box so that the balance wheel is maintained at the same location regardless of the angular position of the watch, control means for positioning said watch in different positions while held by said adjustable mounting means, said control means extending beyond and operable from without said box, means for conducting said intermittent source of light to a point adjacent said mounted watch, means for permitting observation of said watch illuminated entirely by said intermittent light flashes and means located within said box indicating intervals during which the watch is timed.

5. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of intermittent light flashes, an observation box, Lucite rods mounted in said box and conducting said light flashes to a Selected point within the box, means for adjustably mounting a watch within the box so that the balance wheel i maintained in the same-location regardless of the angular position of the watch, control means for positioning said watch in diiferent positions while held by said adjustable mounting means, said control means extending beyond and operable from without the box and means permitting observation of the watch illuminated only by the intermittent light flashes.

6. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of intermittent light, an observation box, a

sliding panel mounted in said box, a watch holding plate pivotally mounted on said panel, means for positioning said plate in any desired angular position, control means for said positioning means, said control means extending beyond the box and operable from Without the box, means for supporting a Watch on said plate so that the balance wheel is located at the pivotal point of said plate to maintain said balance wheel in the same location regardless of the angular position of the watch, means for conducting said source of light to a point adjacent the mounted watch and means permitting observation of said watch illuminated only by said intermittent light.

7. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of intermittent light, an observation box, a panel mounted for sliding movement within said box to permit the panel to be Withdrawn from the box, means for mounting a watch on said panel to permit adjustment to any desired angular position with the watch in a vertical plane and to maintain the balance wheel in the same location regardless of the angular position of said watch, control means for positioning said watch in any number of various positions while said watch is held by said mounted means, said control means extending beyond and operable from without the box, means for conducting said intermittent light to a point adjacent said watch and means permitting observation of said watch illuminated only by said intermittent light.

, 8. A watch timing apparatus comprising a source of intermittent light, an observation box, a framework having opposed parallel grooves carried in said box, a panel slidably mounted in said grooves adapted to be slid to a position either entirely within the box or entirely without the box, a hinged plate in said panel, a watch supporting plate pivotally mounted on said hinged plate, means for mounting a watch on said pivotally mounted watch plate, means for conducting said intermittent light to a point adjacent said watch plate and means permitting observation of the interior of said box illuminated only by said intermittent light.

9. A watch timing apparatus including a source of intermittent light and an observation box, said observation box comprising a closed interior and an observation tunnel having a face fitting opening at its end, a framework carried interiorly of said box having opposed parallel grooves, a panel slidably mounted in said grooves and adapted to be moved from a position without the box to a position entirely within the box, a hinged plate carried on said panel, a watch supporting plate pivotally mounted on said hinged plate, means operable from without the box for turning the watch plate about its pivot, means for resiliently supporting a watch on said watch plate, means located without the box for turnin said hinged plate with its mounted watch plate from a vertical plane to a horizontal plane, means for conducting said intermittent light both to a position adjacent the Watch plate when in vertical position and when in horizontal position whereby a watch mounted in said watch plate may be observed from said observation tunnel illuminated only by said intermittent light and in any angular position in a vertical or horizontal plane.

ROBERT DANIEL l-IEFFELFIN GER. 

